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Press Release on 24 July 2010

Press Release
For Immediate Distribution
22 July 2010

See Italian and French releases below.

24 July 2010 – International Sakine Mohamadi Ashtiani Day

24 July 2010 is to be designated International Sakine Mohamadi Ashtiani Day according to an open letter signed by Mina Ahadi, International Committee against Stoning and Execution (Germany), Pierre Cassen, Riposte Laïque (France), Richard Dawkins, Scientist (UK), Anne-marie Lizin, Belgian Senate Honorary Speaker (Belgium), and Irshad Manji, European Foundation for Democracy and New York University (USA), Maryam Namazie (Iran Solidarity and One Law for All) amongst others.

The 58 signatories raise concern for 43 year old Sakine Mohamadi Ashtiani who may be executed in Iran at any time for ‘having an illicit relationship.’ The mother of two has already received 99 lashes and been sentenced to death by stoning in Iran. Her children, Faride and Sajjad, raised the alarm of her imminent stoning when there was no further legal recourse via an open letter to the people of the world.

In response to the call, rallies and events will be taking place on this day in a number of countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Georgia, France, Netherlands, Germany, Norway, UK and USA. Mock stonings will take place at some of the events.

Notes:

1. The open letter calling for 24 July 2010 to be International Sakine Mohamadi Ashtiani Day can be found here: http://iransolidarity.blogspot.com/2010/07/24-july-2010-international-sakine.html.

2. To find an event in your area or to report one taking place on 24 July, visit: http://iransolidarity.blogspot.com/2010/07/rallies-for-international-sakine.html.

3. The new and comprehensive list of persons stoned to death or awaiting death by stoning in Iran compiled by Farshad Hosseini of the ICAE is available in Persian: http://countmein-iran.com/Sangsarha%20lst-farshad-july2010.pdf. It is being translated into English.